10 Best Luther Vandross Songs

The best Luther Vandross songs have universal appeal. For 25 years, the suave singer was the king of the romantic ballad. He never strayed from his home in soul and R&B, but he won over a mainstream pop audience with his silky voice and charming personality. Vandross passed away in 2005, two years after suffering a stroke, but his music lives on. Take a look at the best Luther Vandross songs, as chosen by AOL readers.

10

'Take You Out'

'Take You Out' was the first single from Luther's self-titled 2001 album, his first for Clive Davis' J Records. Peaking at No. 26 on the US pop chart, the song was the first Top 40 hit for Vandross since his duet with Mariah Carey seven years earlier. Superstar rapper Jay-Z borrowed the song's chorus for his hit 'Excuse Me Miss.'

'Think About You' was a simple ballad about being unable to get a special someone out of your mind. The phrase "I thought about you" appears after every line of the chorus, and the song's lyrics made passing mention of another R&B superstar, Alicia Keys. Vandross wrote the song with James Porte for the 2003 release 'Dance with my Father.'

Vandross had established himself as a star by the time he released 'Give Me the Reason' in 1986. Four of the album's nine tracks became smash hits on the R&B charts, but one that slipped under the radar was 'So Amazing.' In 2005, this smooth ballad provided the title of the tribute album recorded after Vandross passed away.

Vandross had a talent for reinterpreting old songs. His 1982 duet with Cheryl Lynn, 'If This World Were Mine,' was a remake of a 1967 song by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. Following in the footsteps of Gaye is not an easy task, but Vandross made the song a hit. The song gained new life in 2005 when Alicia Keys and Jermaine Paul recorded it for the Vandross tribute album, scoring a Grammy nomination in the process.

Taken from the album of the same name, 'Never Too Much' was the first single Vandross ever released, and it shot to No. 1 on the R&B chart. Like many songs from the early '80s, 'Never Too Much' displayed slight remnants of the disco era with its prominent bass and funky guitar beat. Vandross wrote and produced the track, which later appeared on the soundtrack for the Grand Theft Auto: Vice City video game.

Vandross' first Top 10 hit on the pop charts, 'Here and Now,' reached No. 6 in April 1990. The beautiful love song -- written by David L. Elliott and Terry Steele -- was one of two new songs on 'The Best of Luther Vandross ... The Best of Love.' One of the most beautiful wedding songs of the '90s, 'Here and Now' rightfully earned Vandross his first Grammy Award.

'Dance With My Father' was the title track from Luther's only Billboard 200 chart-topper, an album that captured four Grammy Awards. Vandross shared the prestigious Song of the Year award with co-writer Richard Marx for this track, which was dedicated to Vandross' late father. Vandross was unable to attend the Grammy ceremony, having had a stroke just before the album's release, but Celine Dion filled in to perform the song.

In 1984, Vandross had a hit with this medley, with songs made popular by the Carpenters and Aretha Franklin, respectively. Off the album 'Busy Body,' the song hit the Top 10 on the R&B charts, despite its running time of more than nine minutes. Eventual 'American Idol' winner Ruben Studdard performed the Vandross arrangement of 'Superstar' while competing on the show, to great acclaim.

Many of the best Luther Vandross songs have served as lovemaking music. 'If Only for One Night' was a great example, with gentle, romantic vocals from Vandross and lyrics imploring, "Let me hold you tight/If only for one night." The tender ballad, written by Brenda Russell appeared on Luther's 1985 album 'The Night I Fell in Love.'

The only song on Vandross' debut album, 'Never Too Much,' that he did not write, 'A House Is Not a Home' was penned by Burt Bacharach and Hal David in the '60s and was originally only a minor hit for Dionne Warwick. This capper to the Best Luther Vandross Songs list sees the soulful singer belt out the bittersweet words while piano and strings create a dramatic mood.